Obituary: BANKS, NORMA

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 5, 2009

Norma Rowley

Banks

1922 ~ 2009

Norma Rowley Banks, 87 passed away peacefully on May 2, 2009 with her family near, shortly after suffering a stroke and heart attack. She was born February 17, 1922 the only daughter of Leland Baker Rowley and Vera Griffiths in Milford, Utah. She graduated from Milford High School in 1939 and married her high school sweetheart, Charles Winslow Banks on November 30, 1940 in Milford. They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 14, 1989.

Norma and her cousin Audrey often helped at her grandmother's boarding house in Milford, cooking and cleaning for the guests. Milford was a train town and Norma's life was deeply-rooted in the Union Pacific Railroad.

Her father, husband, brother and sons all worked for the railroad and Norma herself also worked during World War II filling water tanks on the troop trains in Caliente, NV while her husband was serving in the Coast Guard. She later became a member of the Union Pacific Old Timers #12 and served on the board and in many capacities, including twice as President. She made many lifelong friends in the Old Timers and she and Winslow enjoyed traveling with the group. They went to many conventions together and traveled to several countries.

She was a long time resident of Rose Park and was actively involved in the community. She enjoyed politics and volunteered as a voter registrar, and attended city council meetings as well as the Legislature when in session. She supported the local Lions Club and always attended their Memorial Day Breakfast with all of her family, rain or shine! Norma was an active member of the LDS Church. She loved visiting teaching and serving in the Primary.

Norma's hands were always busy; she loved to sew, especially quilts. She also enjoyed crocheting and embroidery. She won several awards at the State Fair for her handiwork. She had a green thumb and loved to look after her flower gardens.

Norma was also an avid bowler and she and Winslow made quite a team!

She is now reunited with her parents, brothers; Asa and Keith, and her husband who all preceded

Norma in death. She is survived by her sons; Dennis (Cathy) of Utah and Norman (Micki) of Arkansas, grandchildren; Douglas, Michael, Christine, David, Paul, Ashlee and John; and 17 great- grandchildren.

Services will be held Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel at 10:00 a.m. (3401 Highland Dr., Salt Lake City, UT) with a viewing from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

The family wishes to express thanks to the staff of Pioneer Valley Hospital and Legacy House of Taylorsville Assisted Living, where Norma resided for the last 15 months. The care received at both facilities was greatly appreciated.